This is for my girlfriend to use as a CCW. She originally wanted the MP9C, as I had stated in a previous thread, but that is still a bit to bulky for a thin girl who mostly wears fitted type clothing to conceal. So I'm thinking something single stack would be best.

I showed her the Ruger LC9 online and she liked the looks of it. This weekend I will be taking her to the LGS to hold some different pistols. I just need some suggestions.

We'd like to keep the price in the sub $500 category too.

__________________
It's better to have a gun and not need one than to need a gun and not have one.

The only Kel-Tec I have is a P-3AT. So far it's been very reliable +or- 200rds.
I also have a LC9 that I really like. It has been 100% reliable (3-4 hundred rds.)so far. Around here I think the Kel-Tec runs about $100 less than the LC9.

My beef with the LC9 is that it is safetied to death. Manual safety is fine, that is one thing, but they have an internal lock and a mag disconnect (at least the disconnect is removable if you are handy enough). Too many POF for my tastes. I have two PF9's, the hard chrome I carry and shoot the most has been flawless in 650 rounds of different brands of ammo including hollow points. I have also had 4 other people shoot it of varying experience levels all the way down to a female friend of mine shooting it on her second time ever shooting. Still zero failures to report.

I would recommend the chrome if you can find it. Slicks up the action and makes it more rust proof.

__________________I do not love the bright sword for it's sharpness, nor the arrow for it's swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.

I love my Kahr PM9 - 15.9 oz. fully loaded, well made, accurate and (at least judging by mine) totally dependable. A less expensive alternative would be the Kahr CM9. I have never fired one, but folks I know who have one are big fans.

I didn't read the M&Pc thread, so I don't know how much of a pistolero (pistolera?) your girlfriend is. I will say that I would only recommend the micro 9s for someone who is an experienced shooter. They are not easy to shoot, hard recoil, easy to limp wrist; not as accurate or reliable as one of it's bigger, service pistol brethren.

Having said that, the Kel Tec PF9 is a good gun. I would say that most of the problems you hear about with it are from people who are limp wristing and can't bear to admit it.

Those are all compact 9mm Luger chambered handguns that I have fired and like. I personally carry the PM9, since I acquired it four, or five years ago I've been well satisfied and haven't felt the need to try a replacement.

Guy talk. You forget most women have purses bigger than the cargo capacity of an SUV. I was once out on a date with a dainty little girl and just happened to glance into her purse wherein low and behold, there was stainless Colt 45 1911 cocked, loaded and ready to go with a simple flick of a safety.

The ladies in my family( adults and grandaughters) ....really like 1911's ...or a Sig 239 ...( both in 9mm )...they're both slim, relatively light...( especially if you go with an alloy frame on either choice) ..and maybe a 4" barrel on the 1911.

Keeping it under $ 500 ...on my choices is going to be a problem ...unless you go used...but that's not a terrible idea either in my mind.

I also like the idea of a J frame S&W revolver ...or maybe a K frame .../ but the ladies in my family like to shoot the J and K frames too ...in 2 1/2" or
4" barrels...and there are lots of affordable choices out there...especially if they carry in a purse.

I'm trying to stay away from MOUSE guns. I know 9mm isn't considered a mouse caliber, but I hate anything smaller than a PPK or Bursa. I think the MOUSE guns are for guys that want to wear shorts duing the summer with LCP's in their pockets or cargo pants.

Not what I would consider a real effective firearm for self defense unless you are less than 10 feet from whatever you are shooting. One in the back of the head would do, but will get you 30 years to life.

My girl carries a small purse if she carries one at all. Also, she has only been shooting with me twice. The first gun she ever shot was my glock 27 so she dealt with a good snappy recoil right off the bat.

Kahr is being thrown around a lot in here. I had a CW9 that started dropping the magazine after about 800 rounds. I thought I was inadvertently hitting it when shooting so I changed my grip so this would not be possible and it still dropped the mag. Sometimes you could get one or two shots off. Sometimes you could get through a whole magazine. Either way, I didn't trust it and got rid of it in favor of the G27 that I now use and love.

So my question is.....did I get a lemon Kahr? Should I give them another chance? I really liked the CW9 for it's accuracy and feel but I can't carry a gun I don't trust.

__________________
It's better to have a gun and not need one than to need a gun and not have one.

This email link is to reach site administrators for assistance, if you cannot access TFL via other means. If you are a TFL member and can access TFL, please do not use this link; instead, use the forums (like Questions, Suggestions, and Tech Support) or PM an appropriate mod or admin.

If you are experiencing difficulties posting in the Buy/Sell/Trade subforums of TFL, please read the "sticky" announcement threads at the top of the applicable subforum. If you still feel you are qualified to post in those subforums, please contact "Shane Tuttle" (the mod for that portion of TFL) via Private Message for assistance.

This email contact address is not an "Ask the Firearms Expert" service. Such emails will be ignored. If you have a firearm related question, please register and post it on the forums.